Construction employment increased in 230, or 64 percent, of 358 metro areas between May 2022 and May 2023, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials cautioned, however, that it is getting harder for firms to find workers as the unemployment rate for the construction sector continues to fall.
“While nearly two-thirds of metro areas added construction jobs in the last 12 months, the total would have been higher if contractors could find qualified workers,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But with a construction unemployment rate in May of only 3.5 percent, there are very few suitable candidates available in many markets.”
Read more.